Preparing for this field trip has me thinking a lot about what this experience will bring. Travelling to Thailand will be a first for me, from the culture to the food and the pace of life, I am eager to try it all. All of this will feel both unfamiliar and exciting. I’ve only seen glimpses from social media: the loud bustling markets, the warm, humid climate, busy streets and roads, and a deep sense of history woven into everyday life. I know that hearing about a place, primarily through social media, is different from visiting it, so I’m happy to gain my own understanding.
During this trip, I will be attending the MUN conference, and that honestly makes me quite nervous. Speaking and debating in front of people makes me anxious, as I struggle with public speaking, but this is my chance to build on this opportunity and make progress in this area. In a new environment where no one knows me, I want to seize this opportunity and make the most of it. The planning and preparation have got me very engaged, and I want to showcase what I have learned and gained, but I can only hope to do this properly. We will also be taking part in some of their classes, which I am eager for. Learning in a new space, even briefly, can make you more adaptive as a student, which is something I am working on, believing it can help me.
Culturally, Thailand will feel very different from London. The climate, for one, will be different from the weather in London, which I am happy about. However, I really want to make the most of this experience and not waste a single bit of it. I want to walk around the streets and explore, smell the aromas from the food stalls, and dive into something new. To explore on a whole new level, just allowing myself to be immersed in it all. Getting to try new food in the street markets, full of new flavours and spices, is something I look forward to doing. I enjoy walking a lot, so I am interested in learning about the transportation system in Bangkok. As someone who is naturally reserved and prefers to be alone, I also recognise that experiences like this can help me build confidence. I hope to meet students from Kasetsart University who can share their own experiences, especially about student life in Thailand. Even if I am quiet in a group setting, I’ll do my best to learn and connect to those around me in a way that feels natural.
I want to make the most of this opportunity, stepping into a new environment and broadening my perspectives. Travelling to new places has a way of challenging your assumptions and reshaping your thoughts on the world. I am embarking on this trip with curiosity, an open mind, and the hope that it will not only deepen my academic understanding but also foster personal growth and broaden my knowledge of what Thailand has to offer.
Grace Villagomez-Akre